Lord Adonis last month was forced to apologise for suggesting Brexit supporting voters should not vote for Labour as he announced his decision to stand with the party in the European parliamentary elections. Radio host Julia Hartley-Brewer asked the peer to explain why he would stand for a party whose policy he did not embrace fully as she challenged him to clarify what position Labour candidates will stand on at the European parliamentary elections next week. The talkRADIO host said: “You’ve changed your mind since becoming an electoral candidate – you, of course, have never stood for election before, you’re an unelected peer.

“You were effectively forced to apologise for saying, ‘I wouldn’t vote Labour if you want to stop Brexit.’

“The reality is you’ve been forced to recant by Seamus Milner, Jeremy Corbyn’s chief aide.”

Lord Adonis insisted he supports the Labour Party’s Brexit position, which prompted Ms Hartley-Brewer to add: “Can I clarify what is the party policy?

“Is the party policy what was in the manifesto at the last election or is it what was agreed at the party conference last autumn?”

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The Labour peer said: “The party policy is what was agreed at the National Executive Committee two weeks ago which is there will be a referendum on any Tory deal with an option to remain. But we would like there to be a general election.

“If there isn’t going to be a general election, there isn’t going to be a revised deal which then just leaves a Tory deal. There isn’t going to be any other deal.

“Therefore the policy is, by elimination, that you end up with a referendum with an option to remain.”

Mrs May is under high pressure to abandon cross-party talks with Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn over fears she could lose the support of Tory MPs and the “loyal middle” of the party.

On Tuesday, 13 former ministers and the chairman of the powerful backbench 1922 Committee Sir Graham Brady have written to the Prime Minister calling on her not to give in to Labour’s customs union demand.

The Prime Minister could hold a series of “definitive votes” on a range of Brexit options if talks with Labour break down, according to insiders.

The plan would see MPs asked to rank different Brexit outcomes in order of preference and will be put into action if Theresa May and Jeremy Corbyn fail to reach an agreement.

Sources said Downing Street saw proposals for the definitive votes as a last throw of the dice as the Government attempts to find a Brexit strategy acceptable to a majority of MPs.

A compromise deal with Labour is still the Prime Minister’s preferred option but MPs will be offered votes on alternatives if talks break down.

The short negotiation length would depend on a clear vision being outlined by the British team led by Theresa May’s top civil servant Olly Robbins, who on Tuesday traveled to Brussels to meet with EU negotiator Sabine Weyand.

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